Champions Thurles Sarsfields set down a marker for those aspiring to take their title from them when they romped to a 5-32 to 0-7 win over Carrick Swans in their opening game in defence of the Tipperary senior hurling title at Cashel.

Ballina produced the shock of a busy weekend of Tipp hurling action with a 2-17 to 2-14 win over a very fancied Kilruane MacDonaghs in the North senior hurling championship at Puckane.

Tipperary senior hurling champions, Loughmore-Castleiney suffered a shock defeat in the Mid Division’s SHC semi-final, losing to Upperchurch -Drombane 2-19 to 1-21 after extra-time at Templemore yesterday.

Carrick Swans has voiced their displeasure with the Tipperary County Board after an under-age fixtures mess has left them in limbo again.

The South Tipperary Bord na nÓg secretary has claimed county chairman Sean Nugent made a direct intervention to have an abandoned U16 semi-final game replayed.

Peter Queally is in the running to become the next Waterford manager — but former selector Paraic Fanning won’t be putting his name forward.

JK Brackens shocked fancied holders Loughmore-Castleiney in the Mid Tipperary SFC final at Templetuohy yesterday and were full value for their 2-10 to 1-9 win.

Loughmore-Castleiney and Éire Óg Nenagh, as expected, qualified for the Tipperary SHC quarter-finals with comfortable round four wins over Roscrea and Silvermines respectively on Saturday evening.

Toomevara conjured up a dramatic late rally to pip outsiders Templederry 0-24 to 2-17 in a thrilling SHC round three tie at Nenagh.

Waterford 1-14 Tipperary 0-16

Éire Óg Annacarty sprung a major surprise at Cashel in the Tipperary SHC when they beat a hotly fancied Borris-Ileigh 1-17 to 0-17 thanks to an injury-time goal from sub Michael McGrath.

Marksman David Flynn was the hero as Roscrea edged out Lorrha 2-12 to 1-14 in a thrilling Tipperary SHC third round tie.

Paul Curran was no different to the rest of the hurling world waiting to hear word about Lar Corbett’s inter-county future.

FAVOURITES Borrisoleigh powered their way past Carrick Swans at Semple Stadium last evening, their five-point winning margin giving them their place in the Tipperary Senior Hurling quarter-final against Mullinahone.

COUNTY star Seamus Callanan capped a sensational display with the winning score from a 90m injury time free to give Drom-Inch a 2-16 to 1-18 over Burgess in Saturday’s Tipperary SHC fourth round tie at Templemore.

BORRISOKANE landed the Tipperary IHC crown yesterday and ensured that no fewer than 12 teams from the North division are eligible for senior fare in 2011.

TIPPERARY GAA chiefs last night postponed six local club fixtures which had been scheduled for next weekend due to the county’s forthcoming All-Ireland senior final battle with Kilkenny and their participation in next Saturday’s Bord Gáis Energy All-Ireland U21HC semi-final.

THE eagerly-anticipated Carrick-on-Suir derby in the Glanbia South Senior Hurling Championship went the way of the visitors at Davin Park in front of a bumper crowd yesterday.

Killenaule 2-12 Carrick Swans 0-14

CHAMPIONS Cork make two changes from the side which defeated Kerry for tonight’s Munster MHC semi-final against Waterford at Páirc Uí Chaoimh (7pm).

PROPOSALS to introduce a two-tier hurling championship at senior level in Tipperary for 2004 have stirred up a hornet’s nest among a number of the county’s leading clubs.

Moycarkey Borris 1-12 Carrick Swans 1-12

Fethard 2-16